Canadian police series 1959-60 39 episodes x 30 min bw
CBC first-run airdates Wed 8:00-8:30 p.m., 28 Oct 1959- Oct 1960
CBC first-run airdates Wed 8:30-9:00 p.m., 28 Sep1960 -19 Oct 1960
CBC re-run airdates Mon-Fri 4:00-4:30 p.m., 10 Aug 1964-25 Sep 1964
CBC re-run airdates Sun 6:30-7:00 p.m., 7 Feb-28 Mar 1965
BBC UK airdates 12 July 1960 - 19 May 1961
starring
Gilles Pelletieras Corporal Jacques
Gagnier John Perkins (not on imdb) as Constable Frank Scott Don Francks as Constable Bill Mitchell
Recurring:
Angus Baptiste as Special Constable Ben Aputagen (#9 #20
#22 #33 #35)
Bernard McManus as Mayor Bill Cartwright (#11 #28 #35 #36)
A wide selection of character actors played supporting roles:-
Hugh Webster, Jane Mallett, Murray Westgate, Ed McGibbon,
Robert Christie, James Doohan, John Drainie, Katherine Blake,
Michael Kane, and Alfie Scopp. Angus Baptiste,
Premise:
A deep voice resonated across the opening credits - Royal Canadian Mounted
Police. The show was endorsed by the Mounties and set in Shamattawa, a base
of the R.C.M.P. British special-effects wizard Ed Fowlie (he blew up 'The
Bridge Over The River Kwai) had to make dogs resemble foxes and convince
viewers that dogs were pulling a sled when it was the crew.
Other Credits:
Directors included:
Bernard Girard (4 episodes), Harry Horner (7 episodes), George Gorman (15
episodes),
Don Haldane (7 episodes), Fergus McDonnell (3 episodes)
Paul Almond directed 3 episodes "The Rustler","Johnny Wolf","Marked Man"
<www.paulalmond.com>
Writers included:
George Salverson, Munroe Scott, Raymond Bowers, and Vincent Tilsey
'R. C. M. P.' theme music composed by Bill McCauley
also scored as Director of Music (7 episodes)
(Father of Matthew and Tim McCauley, both composers, viz "Sinbad", "Rainbow
Fish".)
Other Composers:
fellow Eastman School of Music graduates
Larry Crosley (20 episodes), Ray Luke (8 episodes), and Martin Mailman (4
episodes).
Note:
The old Crawley Films soundstage, constructed in 1958 for filming the RCMP
series,
was totally destroyed by fire fire on March 28, 2000.
It had been sold to Canada's National Capital Commission in 1976 and was being
rented to the Chelsea municipality as a garage for roadwork equipment. (Paul
Harris)
############### R. C. M. P. #################
############# season 1959-60 ###############
##############################################
CBC Wednesdays 8:00PM (28Oct59-Summer1960)
[01] R.C.M.P.: CRASH ON 21
28Oct59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Written by George Salverson
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Bill McCauley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
George Bloomfield
Ed Simay
Tony Kramreither, Hugh Webster, Arnold Hall, Jane Mallett, Aileen Seaton
Arch McDonell, Ed McNamara, Larry Aubrey, Murray Westgate, Joe Austin
Henry Perland, Ray Johnson, Vic Beaucaire, Howard Milsom
Synopsis:
Corporal Jacques Gagnier risks his life and his career to help a man
trapped in his overturned oil tanker. The driver - pinned inside the
cab - faces danger from the gas leaking from the vehicle and the
power line snapped by the crash. [BH] Note:
Thies episode is set on the highway near Prince Albert (which is mentioned
in the show) which is a medium sized city in Saskatchewan.
[02] R.C.M.P.: POISON PEN
(NOT "Poisoned Pen" as previously)
04Nov59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
(No Guest Cast Details)
Synopsis 1;
A poison-pen writer creates fear and distrust among the people of
Shamattawa. Corporal Gagnier attempts to find the writer. [BH]
Synopsis 1:
Willie Bullmeyer receives anonymous letters accusing his wife
and his marriage is endangered. Corporal Gagnier investigates.
[03] R.C.M.P.: THE ACCUSED
11Nov59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by George Salverson,
Directed by Harry Horner,
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
(No Guest Cast Details)
Synopsis 1:
Constable Frank Scott is accused of assaulting one of Shamattawa's
leading citizens. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
Scott faces evidence that he had assaulted a leading citizen of the town.
[04] R.C.M.P.: HUSBAND TROUBLE
18Nov59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Martin Mailman
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
(No Guest Cast Details)
Synopsis:
Vera Cord's evidence sent her husband to jail. Now that his
term is over, she fears revenge. [BH]
[05] R.C.M.P.: THE TEN-MILE TOMBSTONE
25Nov59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
Guest Cast:
Toni Hesse .............. Jennifer Norton/Hannah Ford
John Kellogg ............ Stephen Ford
Robert Knight ........... Thor Svenson
Synopsis:
When Stephen Ford buys a costly headstone for his wife's grave, townspeople
become suspicious.
It is well known that Ford's
wife had made his life miserable. [BH]
[06] R.C.M.P.: DAVID AND GOLIATH
02Dec59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced and Directed by Harry Horner
Directed by Don Haldane (according to Paul Harris)
Written by ?
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
(No Guest Cast Details)
Synopsis 1:
Constable Mitchell disguises himself as a young beatnik in an
attempt to convict a narcotics peddler. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
A young constable is put on the trail of a suspected dope peddler. [TA]
(US syndication: 01Nov61 Ch9 Georgia, Wed 6:30 pm)
[07] R.C.M.P.: THE SMILING PEOPLE [BH]
09Dec59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Directed by Bernard Girard
Written by George Salverson
Starring: Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl.Gagnier)
Guest Cast;
R.G.H.Williamson ......... Martinson
Jack Creley .............. Fallon
With:
Norman Ettinger, William Needles, Chris Wiggins, Alfred Gallagher
Harvey Powell, Arthur Bouldeh, Nellie Nuktie, Samson Sala
Jeannie Kukie, Charlie Tukalak, Louise Allogkok
Synopsis:
To Seal Bay in the Arctic comes a plane carrying a flying court
with the basic requirements of British justice. Corporal Jacques
Gagnier plays a prominent role in the ensuing trial of Koona, an
Eskimo woman charged with murder. [BH]
[08] R.C.M.P.: THE SAFEMAN COMETH (Note: 3 words not 4)
16Dec59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced & Directed by Harry Horner,
Written by George Salverson
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst.Director Peter Carte
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Leo Leyden................. Bert Miller
Chris Wiggins.............. Kurt Hammel
Helene Winston............. Mrs.Bell
Mel Benstock............... Carson
Josephine Kirby............ Mrs.White
Charles Ogilvie............ Operator R.R.
Kevin Retty................ Joe Trapp
Sylvia Proulx.............. June
Synopsis 1:
A safecracker has been working his way across Ontario. Const. Mitchell's
theory that the man will eventually strike in Shamattawa has the people up
in arms. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
Mitchell spins a tale about a safecracker to illustrate a theory about
crime. Then the story comes true. [TA]
(US syndication: 05Jul61 on WBZ-4, Boston, Mass., Wednesday 7:00pm)
[09] R.C.M.P.: LITTLE GIRL LOST
23Dec59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Written by Vincent Tilsley
Directed by Fergus McDonell
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Nancy Marchand ......... Gerta Boyd
David White ............ Bart Boyd
Gladys Sproule ......... Mrs. Handley
Judy Pfennich .......... Susie Boyd
Ray Johnson ............ Peter Carson
Angus Baptiste ......... Ben
Charles Kerr ........... Charlie
William Bourne ..........Constable Wilson
Synopsis 1:
Gerta and Bart Boyd are having marital problems and they use their young
daughter Susie as a weapon against each other. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
When parents quarrel the chief sufferer is the child. Bart and Gerta Boyd forget
their bitterness when their little daughter Susie
is reported missing. The child must be found before dark for as Corporal Gagnier
knows there is a rabid fox prowling close to the town.
[10] R.C.M.P.: THE REPLACEMENT
30Dec59 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Directed by Bernard Girard
Written by ?
Music Composed by Bill McCauley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Frances Hyland .......... Mrs.Phillips
William Lee ............. Wilson Tong
Synopsis:
Tracking a killer, Corporal Gagnier becomes involves with the
problems of a murdered constable's widow. [BH]
[11] R.C.M.P.: GUNSLINGER R.C.M.P. #11 -Gunslinger- intro (1959)
(NOT "The Gunslinger" as previously)
06Jan60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced & Written by Bernard Girard
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Martin Mailman
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
John Drainie ........... Joe Wade
David Sniderman ........ Hollis Wade
Murray Westgate ........ Dr. McLean
William Lee ............ Wilson Tong
Brendon Dillon ......... J. P. O'Grady
Helene Winston ......... Mrs. Bell
Bernard McManus ........ Mayor Bill Cartwright (recurring)
Synopsis:
The entire community of Shamattawa is riddled with fear as a teenage boy
- armed with sixshooters - sees his dream of the Wild West come true. [BH] Note:
This episode is interesting since it has almost the same story as the Canadian
feature film "Paperback Hero" (1973) which starred Keir Dullea and Elizabeth
Ashley
which also was filmed in Saskatchewan.
[12] R.C.M.P.: THE COUNTERFEITER
(singular - not plural as previously)
13Jan60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Toby Robins ........... Allison Andrews
Synopsis:
Allison Andrews comes to Shamattawa - and Gagnier gets a fervent
proposal of marriage. [BH]
[13] R.C.M.P.: BAD MEDICINE
20Jan60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Story and Screenplay by George Salverson
Directed by Don Haldane
Music Cmposed by Martin Mailman
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
Guest Cast:
John Kellogg ............ Roy Burke
Dan Sarazin ............. Night Traveler
William G. Addison ...... A Trader
Synopsis 1:
On a routine visit to trappers in the backwoods Muskrat River
area, Corporal Gagnier discovers two criminals hiding out in
a cabin. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
Two desperate men, wanted for murder, face Corporal Gagnier
on a trip to an outlying trading post. How can he alone bring
them to justice with four days in the bush ahead? [BBC]
(UK airdate: 09Aug60 BBC, Tue, 7.30pm - 4th episode on BBC)
[14] R.C.M.P.: THREE BIG MEN
10Feb60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Story and Screenplay by Vincent Tilsley
Directed by Don Haldane
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Michael Kane ........... Hailsham
Rick Rydon ............. Bannerman
Larry Zahab ............ Tornetti
Lew Davidson ........... Faulkner
Hugh Webster ........... Skeets
Con Sheehan
Dave Plaunt
Synopsis 1:
Three big-city gangsters arrive in the town of Shamattawa, and
Cpl. Gagnier tries to find out what they're up to. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
Gangsters invade a little up-country town. Getting rid of them
calls for all of Corporal Gagnier's ingenuity and courage. [BBC]
(UK airdate: 16Aug60 BBC, Tue 7:30 pm)
[15] R.C.M.P.: TRACKDOWN
17Feb60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Written by George Salverson
Directed by Fergus McDonell
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst. Director Gerry Stoll
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Bruno Gerussi .............. Jerry Grant
George Alexander ........... Joe Lamartine
Les Rubie .................. Walker
Margaret McBain ............ Rosie Walker
Michael McKay .............. Father Baron
Austin Rutland ............. Conductor
William Bourne ............. Constable Wilson
Synopsis:
Corporal Gagnier tries to locate a missing priest and discovers
a murderer. [BH]
[16] R.C.M.P.: JOHNNY WOLF(verified on film)
24Feb60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Story Written for TV by George Salverson
Directed by Paul Almond
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
(Don Francks does NOT appear in this episode)
Guest Cast:
Larry Zahab ............... Johnny Wolf
Sean Sullivan ............. Brenden
Hedley Mattingley ......... Stokes
Denise Carter ............. Annie Wolf
Alan Crowfoot ............. Joe
Vic Beaucaire ............. Truck Driver
Charles Smith ............. 1st. Indian
Peter Buckshot ............ 2nd. Indian
*
Director of Photograhpy ... Stanley Brede, C.S.C.
Editor .................... Dennis Gurney
Art Director .............. Leo Brisset
Director of Music ......... William McCauley (on film)
(composer was Ray Luke - according to Paul Harris)
*
Production Supervision .... Tom Glynn
Unit Manager .............. Peter Carter
Assitant Director ......... David Battle
Camera Operator ........... Norman Allin, C.S.C.
Sound ..................... Tony Betts, David Howells
Casting Director .......... Betty Zimmerman
Continuity ................ Heather Evans
*
Make up ................... Barry Nye
Wardrobe .................. Peggy Nansen
Set Dressings ............. Hutch
Special Effect & Props .... John Patacairk
Construction .............. George Savard
Gaffer .................... John Berkshire
Chief Grip ................ Kevin O'Driscoll
Synopsis:
Johnny Wolf's father walked among the white men - an artist and
a hero. Johnny tries to do the same only to find he has only the
ambition not the ability. [BH]
[17] R.C.M.P.: THE MARKED MAN
02Mar60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Filmed at the E.B.Eddy Co.
Produced by Harry Horner
Written by Munroe Scott
Directed by Paul Almond
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
Guest Cast:
James Doohan ................. Ken McCready
Ed McNamara .................. Bill Harvey
Ovila Legare ................. Jean Bereault
Jillian Foster ............... Miss Malone
Leslie Yeo ................... Curtis Green
George Luscombe .............. Louis
Synopsis:
The owner of a paper mill has several bad accidents on his property.
Corporal Gagnier, posing as a safety inspector, attempts to discover
what's going on at the mill. [BH]
[18] R.C.M.P.: THE HUNT
16Mar60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Written by Vincent Tilsley
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by William McCauley
Asst.Director Peter Carter
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Frances Hyland ............ Lucy Dodds
Douglas Rain .............. Mr.Dodds
Les Rubie ................. Bert Rawlins
Paul Endersby ............. Farmer
Synopsis:
Corporal Gagnier investigates the theft of a truck. Before the case
is closed, however, the investigation takes an unusual turn. [BH]
[19] R.C.M.P.: TOURIST BAIT
23Mar60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ? (probably HH)
Written by ?
Directed by Harry Horner
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Larry Zahab .......... Harry Benson
Synopsis:
Equipped with revolvers, a sawed-off shotgun and a machine gun, bank
robbers arrive in Shamattawa.
As they are looting the vault, Constable
Scott strolls into the bank. [BH/TA]
(US syndication: 25Oct61 Ch9. Georgia Wed 8:30PM) [TA]
[20] R.C.M.P.: MOONSHINE
30Mar60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ? (probably BG)
Story and Screenplay by Munroe Scott
Directed by Bernard Girard
composer, Bill McCauley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Louis Zorich ............ Sam Covell
Angus Baptiste .......... Special Constable Ben Aputagen (recurring)
Angeline Maheux ......... Mother Smoke
Bobbie Buckshot ......... Peter Smoke
Joe Jocko ............... Matthew Smoke
(The Canadian Government Archive also lists John Vernon in this episode) [BH]
Synopsis 1:
Constable Scott's ability in closing a difficult case seemingly goes
unnoticed by his superior, Corporal Gagnier. Then comes a rare
invitation. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
Constable Scott is sent to an Indian Reservation to investigate a
report of an illicit still, but finds he also has a murder on his
hands. His methods of handling the case proved that he has learned
much from his superior, Corporal Gagnier. [BBC]
(UK airdate: 06Sep60 BBC, Tue 7:30 pm)
[21] R.C.M.P.: THE EXTORTIONIST
06Apr60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Story and Screenplay by Vincent Tilsley
Directed by Don Haldane
Music Composed by Martin Mailman
Asst.Director Peter Carter
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
(Don Francks does NOT appear in this episode)
Guest Cast:
Murray Westgate ........ Matthew Standing
Susan Douglas .......... Jean Standing
John Hempstead ......... Stokes
Tom Kneebone ........... Newman
William Lee ............ Wilson Tong
Michael Conway ......... Coroner
Martin Corman .......... Pete Standing
*
Larry Zahab as James Morton ?
Synopsis 1:
Matthew Standing decides to take the law into his own hands when his
family is threatened by an extortionist. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
The members of the jury at the trial of Matthew Standing are all
respected local citizens. Yet Corporal Gagnier knows that one of
them must be the one who is threatening Matthew's wife and child. [BBC]
(UK airdate: 27Sept60 BBC UK, Tue 7:30 pm)
[22] R.C.M.P.: THE LONGEST WEEK OF THE YEAR
13Apr60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Story and Screenplay by Bernard Girard
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
(Don Francks does NOT appear in this episode)
Guest Cast:
Eric House ............. Lee Meadows
James Barren ........... Bill Potter
Angus Baptiste .......... Special Constable Ben Aputagen
(recurring)
And:
Apache Golden Chief ......... Chief, the Dog
Synopsis 1:
Lee Meadows has gone into North- eastern Saskatchewan to trap but a
winter blizzard and a frozen foot makes it impossible for him to
leave his cabin. When Meadows' family reports him missing, Gagnier
and Scott travel by dog team from the trading post at Sandfly to
the cabin, a weeks journey, to rescue him. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
To bring an injured trapper to safety through a raging blizzard,
and in a sub-zero temperature is hazardous enough for Corporal
Gagnier and Constable Frank Scott, but when the man is determined
not to be saved ... [BBC]
(UK airdate: 20Sep60 BBC, Tue 7:30 pm)
[23] R.C.M.P.: NUMBER THIRTY FOUR
(NOT "Number Twenty Four" as previously)
20Apr60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast;
Joseph Boley ............ Jack Reardon
Aileen Seaton ........... Alice Reardon
Robert Rivard ........... Henri Dubois
Synopsis:
Jack Reardon is convinced that everyone is against him and decides
to protect himself with a rifle. [BH]
[24] R.C.M.P.: BACK TO SCHOOL
27Apr60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
(no guest cast details)
Synopsis:
After ten years in charge of a detachment at Shamattawa, Corporal
Gagnier attends a refresher training course in Ottawa, and finds
what its like to be on the carpet again. Before the course is over,
Gagnier is warned about breaking regulations and neglecting his studies. [BH]
[25] R.C.M.P.: TARGET FOR THE LAW
(NOT "Target of the Law" - as previously)
04May60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
(no guest cast details)
Synopsis:
A man whose wife plans to divorce him is threatened by the man she
intends to marry. A few days later the husband is found shot to death.
[BH/TA]
[26] R.C.M.P.: KILLER INSTINCT
11May60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Screenplay by George Salverson
Based on a story by Marjorie Creswell
Directed by Don Haldane
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst.Director David Battle
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Guest Cast:
John Kellogg ............ Dave Pickett
George Sperdakos ........ Cam Walford
Anne Ceilings ........... Cora Pickett
George Gorman ........... Bud Lucas
Synopsis:
Dave Pickett, out on parole, is afraid that his instinct to kill
will overpower him again. Corporal Gagnier, his parole officer,
tries to help him. [BH]
[27] R.C.M.P.: THE GENTLE EXECUTIONER
18May60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
(no guest cast details)
Synopsis:
A case of arsenic poisoning comes to the attention of Corporal Gagnier
and his men. [BH]
[28] R.C.M.P.: DAY OF RECKONING
25May60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Written by Vincent Tilsley
Directed by Fergus McDonell
Music Composed by Bill McCauley
Asst.Director Gerry Stoll
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Gene Persson .......... Tony Fletcher
Ann Helm .............. Ruth Hopwood
Ed McNamara ........... Joshua Hopwood
Ivor Barry ............ Lee Fletcher
Shane Rimmer .......... Tom Hopwood
Ruth Springford ....... Lizzie Hopwood
Brendon Dillon ........ J.P.O'Grady
William Lee ........... Wilson Tong
Bernard McManus ....... Mayor Bill Cartwright (recurring)
Synopsis:
Ruth Hopwood is attacked on her way home and her family is sure that
Tony Fletcher is the guilty party. Ruth, how- ever, denies it,
saying she was blindfolded during the ordeal. Ruth's family threaten
to take the law into their own hands when the RCMP don't arrest
Tony. Finally, Ruth admits that it was Tony who attacked her and
the young man threatens to commit suicide. [BH]
1.29
[--] R.C.M.P.: VIOLENCE AT THE WEDDING
01Jun60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Story and Screenplay by George Salverson
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst.Director David Battle
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast: John Grima ............... Pavlo Kovalchuk
Toby Tarnow .............. Anna
Joseph Furst ............. Vasyl
Sophia Olechowski -OR- Mechowski..... Katherine
Henry Hovenkamp .......... Ivan
George Sperdakos ......... Charlie
Walter Bolton ............ 1st.Young Man
Ralph Abraham ............ 2nd.Young Man
Synopsis 1:
A former suitor of the bride brings boot-leg whiskey to the wedding
reception that Gagnier is attending. An anonymous phone call brings
Scott to the scene. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
When the bride's unsuccessful suitor brought bootleg liquor
to the wedding party he had not reckoned on Corporal Gagnier
being one of the guests. [BBC]
(UK airdate: 21Oct60 BBC, Fri 7:30pm)
[30] R.C.M.P.: BATTLE OF THE INNOCENTS
08Jun60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced & Directed by Harry Horner
Written by George Salverson
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst.Director David Battle
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Denyse Saint-Pierre ....... Jeanne d'Arc
Martin Andrews ............ Boomer Jackson
Jack Creley ............... Hobart Cooper
Charles Palmer ............ Dr.Wright
Ed Simay .................. Dubovsky
Synopsis:
Boomer Jackson goes berserk, kills his wife and then attempts to
evade Corporal Gagnier. [BH]
[31] R.C.M.P.: THE HAYSTACK MURDER
15Jun60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced & Directed by Bernard Girard
Written by George Salverson
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Asst.Director Peter Carter
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Toby Robins ........... Peggy Gordon
Frank Perry ........... Harry Gordon
Ed Simay .............. Wilewski
William Lee ........... Wilson Tong
Joe Auston ............ Jensen
Synopsis 1:
A haystack burning in a snow covered field and a charred body ...
It could be an accident, but when a second body is found, Corporal
Gagnier knows it must be murder. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
A killer seems to think that haystacks make the best graveyards. [BH]
[32] R.C.M.P.: THIN ICE
13Jul60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Bernard Girard
Story and Screenplay by Vincent Tisley
Directed by George Gorman
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Guest Cast:
Lloyd Bochner ............. Paul Donnelly
Max Helpmann .............. Dick Hulbert
Margaret Morris ........... Milly Hulbert
Lew Davidson .............. Peterson
William Greenhalgh ........ Bronson
Synopsis 1:
Gagnier and Scott risk their lives in a chase after bank robber
Paul Donnelly. The trail leads them over a river of ice. [BH]
Synopsis 2:
It is a battle of wits between Corporal Gagnier and Paul Donnelly,
the bank robber he is determined to capture.
Gagnier takes a
chance and wins - but only at the risk of his life. [BBC]
(UK airdate: 12July60 BBC Tues 7:30 pm -first episode to be shown on BBC -
Actor Paul Massie gives a short introduction to this new series
on BBC)
[33] R.C.M.P.: STORM O'BRIEN
24Aug60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
(This episode was totally re-shot and re-edited) (according to film editor Paul
Harris)
Produced & Directed by Bernard Girard
Written by Munroe Scott
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
Guest Cast:
Henry Ramer .................. George McKendrick
Alexander Webster ............ Dr.Wright
Billy Potton ................. Bill
Edith Houzer ................. Kate McKendrick
Angus Baptiste .......... Special Constable Ben Aputagen
(recurring)
Synopsis:
Corporal Gagnier must perform an operation with the doctor giving
instructions - by telephone. [BH]
[34] R.C.M.P.: BREAKOUT
31Aug60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by Don Haldane
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Buddy Ferens ........... Pete Malloy
Synopsis:
Slated to serve a five-year sentence, convict Pete Mallory breaks out
of jail. [TA/BH]
[35] R.C.M.P.: THE THIRD QUESTION
14Sep60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Directed by George Gorman
Written by Charles Curran & Bernard Girard
Music Composed by William McCauley
Asst.Director Peter Carter
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Nicholas McCombie ........... Jean-Paul Goutier
Monique Champagne ........... Sister Therese
Jacqueline Barnett .......... Mrs.Goutier
William Lee ................. Wilson Tong
Angus Baptiste .......... Special Constable Ben Aputagen
(recurring)
Bernard McManus ............. Mayor Bill Cartwright (recurring)
Synopsis:
Money is missing from the church mission collection box and a
little boy disappears at the same time. [BH]
[36] R.C.M.P.: MOP-UP (re-shot) (according to film editor Paul Harris)
21Sep60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Written by Bernard Girard
Directed by George Gorman (1st version)/ Harry Horner (re-shot version)
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Asst.Director Gerry Stoll
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Don Francks (as Constable Mitchell)
Guest Cast:
Sandra Scott ............... Mrs.Layton
Joe Austin ................. Joe Layton
Al Pearce .................. Leo Layton
Helene Winston ............. Mrs.Bell
Lew Davidson ............... Earl Rodenski
Doug Master ................ Ted Hanson
Bernard McManus ............ Mayor Bill Cartwright (recurring)
William Lee ................ Wilson Tong
And:
Apache Golden Chief ........ Chief, the Dog
Synopsis:
A typical day for the RCMP detachment at Shamattawa - a stolen police car,
a wife-beater, a lost car, bad checks and bones under a bed. [BH]
Note:
The early version of of this episode had been called A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE
DETACHMENT.
was directed by George Gorman but the script was weak, hence the re-shoot. [Paul
Harris]
[37] R.C.M.P.: SHOTGUN LADY
Directed by Don Haldane
05Oct60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by Don Haldane
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier)
(no guest cast details)
Synopsis:
The "shotgun lady" is elderly Ann Gowley - who welcomes all
visitors by firing shots and hurling threats. [BH]
[38] R.C.M.P.: THE RUSTLER
(singular - not plural as previously)
12Oct60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by Harry Horner
Written by George Salverson
Directed by Paul Almond
Music Composed by Larry Crosley
Asst.Director Peter Carter
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott),
Guest Cast:
Dick Davalos .............. Leonard Purdy
John Drainie .............. Martin Purdy
George Luscombe ........... Red Kessie
Alex McKee ................ Watson Page
Len Birman ................ Harry Bronson
John Ringham .............. Manager
Mel Benstock ............... Teller
Alan Crofoot, Hugh Webster ... Taxi Drivers
Synopsis:
In the cattle belt of Saskatchewan, a modern police force is
plagued by an old problem - cattle rustling. [BH]
[39] R.C.M.P.: PIGGY-BANK ROBBERY(final episode)
19Oct60 CBC Wednesday - original Canadian Airdate
Produced by ?
Written by ?
Directed by George Gorman,
Music Composed by Ray Luke
Starring:
Gilles Pelletier (as Cpl. Gagnier), John Perkins (as Constable Scott)
(no guest cast details)
Synopsis:
Constable Scott wonders why a thief would steal only a piggy bank
from a wealthy home. [BH]
############### R. C. M. P. #################
############# about the show ###############
##############################################
Ottawa's Crawley Films turned out thirty-nine, half-hour episodes in this
contemporary adventure series about the national police force. Both CBC
and BBC television co-operated with Crawley- McConnell to fund the film
productions, which were shot on a new soundstage at Old Chelsea, near
Crawley's base in Ottawa and on location. Aylmer, Quebec and Outlook,
Saskatchewan stood in for the fictional western town of Shamattawa,
the centre of the action.
In a period when cops and private eyes purveyed their respective brands
of law and order on U.S. television, the tales of an R.C.M.P. detachment
in rural northern Saskatchewan were considerably more low-key. The
situation and stories that the program concerned did not hinge
exclusively on crimes and their solution. They used the characters'
rural isolation, the relations of the populace to the police and to
each other, cultural differences between whites and natives, and the
changing moods of nature to shape their stories. As continuing focal
points for frontier narratives, the R.C.M.P. resembled the lawmen of
the old west who also rode herd over the U.S. airwaves.
The officers in the detachment were Corporal Jacques Gagnier, played
by Gilles Pelletier, Constable Frank Scott, played by John Perkins,
and Constable Bill Mitchell, who was portrayed by Don Francks. A wide
selection of character actors played supporting roles from week to
week: Hugh Webster, Jane Mallett, Murray Westgate, Ed McGibbon,
Robert Christie, James Doohan, John Drainie, Katherine Blake,
Michael Kane, and Alfie Scopp. Angus Baptiste, an Algonquin, and
Frances Hyland both appeared on a semi-regular basis.
In some stories, the R.C.M.P. officers served their conventional
function as law officers and investigators of crime. In a segment
called The Smiling People, Gagnier attended a trial of a native woman
in the arctic accused of killing her husband, and in another Mitchell
disguised himself as a beatnik (a part obviously tailored for
then-hipster/sometimes jazz singer Don Francks) to investigate narcotic
dealing to teenagers. In others they were implicated in the story itself.
For example, in a segment titled The Accused, written by George Salverson,
Scott faced evidence that he had assaulted a leading citizen of the town.
In another, Gagnier travels to Ottawa for a refresher training course.
Besides the prolific George Salverson, the writers for the series included
Munroe Scott, Raymond Bowers, and Vincent Tilsey, who had been brought
from the BBC to act as script editor for the series. The music was
composed by Bill McCauley, the musical director for Crawley Films.
Episodes were produced and directed by Bernard Girard, Harry Horner,
and George Gorman. The executive producer was F.R. "Budge" Crawley.
The CBC originally aired the series at a cost of $8.000 per episode,
and the BBC paid $l0,000. The program also appeared on U.S. television
on a syndicated basis, and in the February l962 issue of Canadian
Business, it was touted to have returned more than a million dollars
in foreign sales, to rank as the country's highest earning television
show in the export market.
############### R. C. M. P. #################
################# the end ##################
##############################################
